7 First Date Ideas Beyond Getting Drinks at a Bar

On a first date, you’re not sure how much you are going to get along with each other because, well, it’s your first date!

So you don’t necessarily want to commit to something significant.

Dinner, for example, is an investment of time and resources that is best done when you already know you’re excited about her!

Especially if you meet a woman online, you’re going to need a bit more time to decide if you want to truly spend a whole evening together.

So, what are good first date options that don’t revolve around alcohol, if that’s not your style per se?

A lot of guys at IA either don’t drink, don’t drink much, or want to drink less… so this is a good topic for us today. :)

The best first date ideas give you and your date plenty of time and space to get to know each other with no pressure.

So that’s what I’ve pulled together for you below!

In each of these, there may or may not be alcohol present in the venue, but it’s not the centerpiece like it is when getting drinks as a first date.

That said, if you do want to enjoy the atmosphere of an upscale bar or lounge but you don’t drink, you can always have a tonic water with lime.

But if you’re not into that, then feel free to expand into any of these fun first date ideas below!

1. Coffee or tea

Of all first date ideas differentiated from the bars and clubs scene, getting coffee or tea is the easiest go-to.

This is for good reason! It’s a drink of some sort, which is cozy, low commitment, and delicious. Coffee and tea shops are also pretty easy to find, and they can often have a great vibe about them too.

If you do choose a coffee spot, opt for something more hipster than Starbucks, as that’s kind of like taking her to MacDonald’s for a first date, which we don’t necessarily want to do.

Take her to a thoughtful coffee shop or tea lounge instead. :)

2. Cookies or ice-cream

If you are feeling especially playful and sweet-toothed, you can take her to get a yummy treat! Ice-cream cones are classically flirtatious and fun treats. Cookies are great too, or cupcakes.

How playful to suggest a dessert for a first date! Not only is it a playful expression of yourself, it also creates a fun environment for the two of you to connect and get to know each other!

3. Street food and food trucks

Another great first date idea is street food or food trucks. They’re perfect for more of a meal feeling without actually doing a sit-down dinner on a first date.

Sometimes, if there’s a festival or any kind of a community event, there will be food trucks. Some cities and towns even have it like every Saturday, there are food trucks along a walkable part of town.

4. Walk around a park / Walk your dogs

If either of you has a furry dog friend, this is a really fun first date idea! If you each have dogs, that’s great, or even if only one of you does. It’s a great way to bond, to play with animals together.

It’s always nice when there’s something else to focus on when you get to be in an active environment together.

Even if you don’t have dogs but still like the idea of being outdoors together as a first date idea, that is 100% okay. You can just enjoy a beautiful park together, walking and talking.

Perhaps you can combine getting a coffee or ice-cream to enjoy as you walk and talk!

5. Structured physical activity like miniature golf or bowling

If you’re looking for more structure in your first date, you can do something fun like miniature golf or bowling!

This can provide a great way to unwind together at the end of the day or week, just enjoying the process of having a game play out.

It’s also a subtle way to just get a feel for each other experientially, rather than relying as much on words. If you’re on the quieter side, this is great news!

If she’s excitable and outgoing, then bonding over a round of mini golf can be super flowing and fun.

6. Museum or exhibit you can walk and talk through

What if you like the first date ideas that have to do with being active and sharing an experience together, but you’re either not keen on being outside or the weather isn’t conducive to that?

You can enjoy the indoor “park” of a museum or exhibit to walk through together!

Going from art piece to art piece, photograph to photograph, or artifact to artifact, you will naturally have so many things to talk about.

Maybe a painting reminds you of something, or a particular photograph really inspires her and spurs on a discussion that you couldn’t have planned or expected.

7. Show, lecture, or music event like open mic night or a book talk

These are wonderful first date ideas when you have a mutual interest, or even just an overlapping curiosity!

It’s fun to expand your horizons by learning new things, and what better way to do that than on a first date? It provides great conversation fodder to go to an author’s discussion or a show that opens your mind and inspires you.

This helps you get to know your date outside of the typical topics, if you’d like a change of pace.

Final Thoughts

To summarize, there are so many awesome first date ideas besides getting drinks at a bar!

From ice-cream to book talks to dog bonding time, you can find an inspiring idea for your next date.

If you’d like more support in getting those dates in the first place, or in leading things to a second date, that’s what we’re here for!

Sarah Jones is founder and CEO of Introverted Alpha; the premier dating coaching company for introverted men; featured by Forbes, Business Insider, Cosmo, and more. Pick up your free copy of Sarah's 22-page ebook inside the blue box just below.

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